The team improved when the substitutes were introduced so perhaps there are some 'Positives' to take from the game.

I don't like manager bashing and taking all the achievements for granted and only picking on the errors but if we do well at this tournament it will in spite of Southgate not because of him - Foden and Bellingham either get in each others way or Jude goes out to the left wing and becomes ineffective. The team may be starting to pick itself which is good because Gareth seems unable to do so. Mainoo is going to start so Jude will contnue as a number 10 and Gordon needs to replace Foden so we have balance on the left. BIG calls need to be made not tepid conservatism - I'd go Palmer over Saka as well.

"Southgate searching for the spark" we can tell you where the spark is; on the bench.

Our best chance came when Gordon, Mainoo and Palmer combined.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Bellingham looks like he is having a major sulk.
Foden is being played out of position.
Mainoo looked good as did Palmer and Gordon (for 5 minutes).
Stick Wharton in there with them and we may just have half a chance of progressing.
More likely though there will be no changes.
Felt sorry for Gallagher. He should of ignored orders and played his own game.

off the back of that performance, honestly think the best way forward is to play all the bench.

back 4 look ok, and have limited options, squad is so inflexible.
Rice does my head in. goes backward more often than not.
B'ham looks disinterested, but probably just bored of our style of play. Foden been better in last 2, but still wouldn't play both. 1 of the 3 of foden/B'ham or Eze should be in the 10 pos.

walker stones guehi tripp
-- Wharton -- Mainoo
Palmer - Eze/Foden/B'ham - Gordon
----Watkins/Toney

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Although the expected goals stats over England's group games are dismal the fact that France (who look to have the best players on paper) failed to win their group means the draw has opened up for England. I think Spain (who look like the best team so far) France, Germany, and Portugal are now all in the same part of the draw.
The teams so far in England's 1/2 are Switzerland and Italy who play each other and will potentially be England's opponents if we beat one of the best third placed teams (hopefully not the Netherlands who looked dangerous against France) The other team through at this stage are Austria.
Let's hope we can find some improvement as there are not going to be a better chance of reaching the final with this draw.
[Link]

Edited by viveasheagle (26 Jun 2024 5.14am)